Considering purchasing a Canadian registered boat

[Mike & Julie]

We are looking at a boat that is documented as Canadian but is currently being kept in Florida. The owner is presently in Canada. I'd like to purchase and register the boat in Maryland. What are the ramifications or risks in doing this? Would I just be obligated to pay the MD state tax or is there other exposure? Would there be issues with customs due to a Canadian registry with an American owner? So confused! Help!

[Lesley Hodgson]

If you are a US citizen you will not be able to keep the boat on the Canadian Registry but it is fairly easy to have it redoccumented in the US. You will need the papers showing former owners and registry information and that it has been removed from the Canadian list. We did that with our present boat while we rebuilt her in Nova Scotia. If you register the boat in Maryland they will expect you to pay their sales tax.
Hope this helps.
Lesley

[Mike & Julie]

Thanks Lesley!

[Frank H Amling]

I have to make this short--this is the 4th time I have tried to tell you my story but about 3/4 the way thru I lose the reply. You may have to pay an import duty on the price of the boat to the US goverment. Having to pay the duty will depent where the boat was built--US or somewhere else. and if a duty was already payed to the US on the boat by one of the past owners.
Frank

[Mike & Julie]

Thanks Frank. I appreciate your resolve in getting this to me, Thank you.